Support of Explanation of OSA
I developed an explanation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), based on my
explanation of sleep. My explanation of OSA suggests that testosterone
worsens OSA. The following quotation, which I just discovered, directly
supports my theory of OSA. I invite you to read it as Testosterone and
Sleep: Support for Sleep Theory at http://www.naples.net/~nfn03605/ on the
web.
James Howard
Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.A.
Mayo Clin Proc 1998 Mar;73(3):246-8
Obstructive sleep apnea due to endogenous testosterone production in a
woman
Dexter DD, Dovre EJ
Department of Neurology, Midelfort Clinic, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701, USA.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition characterized by
snoring, recurrent episodes of cessation of breathing (obstructive apneas),
disrupted sleep, and excessive daytime somnolence. Associated serious
complications are hypertension, increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and
increased susceptibility to industrial and motor vehicle accidents. OSA is
considerably more common in men than in women. In postmenopausal women, the
incidence of OSA increases. These factors suggest that reproductive hormones
have a role in the cause of OSA. Treatment with testosterone has been
reported to cause OSA in men, and exogenous androgen administration has been
reported to cause OSA in one woman. In a review of the English literature,
we found no previous reports of OSA that was induced by endogenous
testosterone in women. Herein we describe a nonobese 70-year old woman with
clinically significant OSA and a benign testosterone-producing ovarian
tumor. After successful removal of the tumor, her OSA resolved, and her
testosterone level normalized. This unique case supports the theory of male
hormonal (testosterone) influence in the OSA syndrome.